In the early 1990s, Wisconsin Dells resort owner Stan Anderson was trying to come up with a way to keep his Polynesian Resort Hotel busy during the long, cold winters. He built a roof to cover a water attraction at his property, and the first indoor waterpark in the country was born.

It was an inspired move. Waterparks have become huge draws for both kids and grownups. Want some hard evidence?

• In the mid-1970s, waterparks did not exist — today there are more than 1,000 in North America.

• Nearly 75 million visitors a year go to waterparks.

Many waterparks are adding sophisticated facilities and industry insiders to lure meetings. For example, Betsy Kang, the director of sales and catering for the Great Wolf Resort in Mason, Ohio — which is next door to Paramount Kings Island amusement park — was brought to the facility in part because of her understanding of meetings and their needs. The Mason property has a new conference center with 40,000 square feet of meeting space. “We're filling a niche for meetings that nobody else can touch,” Kang says.

Decision Time

When choosing a waterpark resort for your event, consider the following:

• Does the facility cater to families? Do they have refrigerators in all guest rooms? May families bring in food, or is it discouraged?

• Does the facility have a fleet of rolling carts so families can move their stuff quickly from the minivan to the room?

• Does the facility have a range of dining options that are both fun and nutritious?

• What is the facility's level of commitment to safety and security?

• Does the facility have a large number of suites and varied room configurations?

• Are there plenty of sitting areas, where kids and adults can “hang out” in comfort?

• What are the games at the video arcade? Do they have adult themes and/or violence?

• How does the staff react to children?

• What other activities are in the area, if your group wants a break from the water?

Waterpark Facts

Number of waterparks in North America MORE THAN 1,000

First “official” waterpark created WET 'N WILD, ORLANDO, FLA., 1977

Longest indoor leisure river in the U.S. ZAMBEZI RIVER, KALAHARI RESORT, WISCONSIN DELLS, WIS.

Largest wave pool in the U.S. TYPHOON LAGOON, ORLANDO

Largest indoor waterpark in the United States under one roof KALAHARI RESORT, WISCONSIN DELLS (125,000 square feet)

Largest outdoor waterpark in the United States NOAH'S ARK WATERPARK, WISCONSIN DELLS (70 acres)

Largest concentration of waterparks WISCONSIN DELLS (18 indoor waterparks and 3 outdoor waterparks within 18 square miles)

Source: World Waterpark Association

News Makers:

• The Convention Industry Council has added two members to its APEX Commission; Christie Hicks, senior vice president of global sales for Starwood Hotels; and Maura Gast, executive director of the Irving (Texas) Convention & Visitors Bureau.

• Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. has named Frits van Paasschen its new CEO. The former CEO of Coors Brewing Co. succeeds Bruce Duncan, interim CEO since April, who will continue as Starwood's chairman.

• The Orange County Convention Center promoted Terry Devitt to director of event management and exhibitor services. Devitt has been with the convention center for 10 years.

• Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants has named Jesse Suglia the new director of hotel sales. Suglia joins Kimpton from Omni Hotels, where he served as global director of business travel sales for the New York global sales office.

• Martin Joyce joined The Regent Boston at Battery Wharf as director of sales and marketing. Most recently, he was with Cape Cod's Ocean Edge Resort and Club.